Sports Digest | Justin Upton dealt to Braves

Arizona has traded outfielder Justin Upton to the Atlanta Braves in a seven-player deal that sends former All-Star infielder Martin Prado to the Diamondbacks.

The Braves also get third baseman Chris Johnson. Atlanta is giving up four minor leaguers in the deal, including top pitching prospect Randy Delgado. The other minor leaguers headed to Arizona are right-hander Zeke Spruill, shortstop Nick Ahmed and first baseman Brandon Drury. Prado, projected to play third base for the Diamondbacks, can become a free agent after this season.

Upton, who has five-plus major league seasons but still is just 25 years old, will join older brother B.J. Upton, who recently signed a free agent contract with Atlanta.

Other news:

? Red Sox: Pedro Martinez, a three-time Cy Young Award winner and eight-time All-Star, who spent seven seasons in Boston, was brought back to the franchise. He will serve as a special assistant to general manager Ben Cherington.

? Phillies: Delmon Young has some incentive to lay off the desserts: He can earn $600,000 based on his weight this season. Young's $750,000, one-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies allows him to earn an additional $2.75 million in bonuses.

AUTO RACING

Kyle Busch signs extension

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. - Joe Gibbs Racing announced that Kyle Busch has signed a long-term extension to continue driving the No. 18 Toyota Camry.

In addition, JGR will field the No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota in the Nationwide Series for at least 25 races with Busch as the primary driver.

SAN DIEGO - Brandt Snedeker ended another round at Torrey Pines atop the leaderboard. Snedeker had a flawless start to his title defense in the Farmers Insurance Open by playing bogey-free on the North Course for a 7-under 65 and a share of the lead with K.J. Choi on Thursday. The advantage after one day goes to Choi, who birdied three of his last four holes on the tough South Course for his 65.

Tiger Woods, a seven-time champion at Torrey Pines as a pro, looked as if he might join them. Woods was one shot off the lead with five holes to play on the South until he stumbled in the final hour of a cloudy day with two bogeys and had to scramble to save par on the par-5 18th for a 68.

Other news:

? New LPGA tournament: Two years before golf returns to the Olympics, the LPGA Tour is creating a tournament to determine the best in the world.

The International Crown will start in 2014 and be played every other year. It will feature four days of team matches among eight countries that can field the strongest four-player teams based on the world rankings. The inaugural event will be in late July at Caves Valley Golf Club outside Baltimore.

CYCLING

South Africa restesting cyclist

Lance Armstrong's confession has pushed South Africa's anti-doping body to retroactively test blood samples from over 50 top cyclists for EPO, bringing all major road and mountain races in the country last year under fresh scrutiny.

The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport said the re-testing would help it discover "if a major EPO doping problem exists in this country."

MEDIA

ESPN's Rachel Nichols jumps to CNN, Turner Sports

LOS ANGELES - ESPN reporter Rachel Nichols is leaving to work for CNN and Turner Sports.

The companies announced that Nichols will anchor a weekend CNN sports program beginning this year and will report on many sports.

Her first assignment will be the Super Bowl.

Louisville, Kentucky • Southern Indiana

ADVERTISEMENT

Most Popular

Most Commented

More Headlines

Most Viewed

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

Sports Digest | Justin Upton dealt to Braves

Arizona has traded outfielder Justin Upton to the Atlanta Braves in a seven-player deal that sends former All-Star infielder Martin Prado to the Diamondbacks.